Description of Cornish Rex

﻿The Breed History

First described in 1950, these cats arose from a random mutation in the offspring of a shorthaired tortie and white barn cat in Cornwall, England. The first generation offspring rex male was mated back to the mother, and subsequent out-crossings to British Shorthair, Oriental Shorthair, and Siamese fixed the autosomal recessive haircoat gene and strengthened the breed. First brought to California in 1957, a female gave birth to the foundation kittens for the American lines. The Cornish Rex was first registered with the CFA and GCCF in the 1960s. This is a different gene from the Devon Rex mutation (or the Selkirk Rex). No outcrosses currently allowed. The American Cornish Rex is longer in the head than the British type.

Physical Characteristics

Weight: 6-8 lb (2.5-3.5 kg)

Coat: The Cornish Rex comes in many colors and patterns Bi-colored is the most popular in the registry and show ring; smokes are also fairly common. The short coat is very soft and wavy, curly or rippled. There is a spectrum of hair length, thickness and curl. Longer coat is not as wavy (plush), shorter coat is "nappy" (termed suede). This mutation leaves only undercoat-there are no guard hairs. Uniform tight soft hairs lie close, organizing into "washboard" rows of wavy hairs much like the old-fashioned marcel hairstyle. Whiskers are curly. Born curly coated, these cats go straight haired until about 16 weeks of age when they begin to curl, with coat quality finishing development at sexual maturity. Any bare areas apart from temples and ears are a serious show fault.

Eyes: Oval eyes, medium to large, many colors accepted.

Points of Conformation: English standard varies from the American standard. Small to medium cats, they possess a "racy" body, with a long wedge or "egg"-shaped small head, narrow muzzle, with hollow-cheeked look, very large high set ears lacking furnishings, with rounded tips. Brows are also crinkled. Chin is well developed, profile is lightly Roman nosed, whisker break is evident, and neck is long. Legs are long, with small oval feet. It is normal for them to stand with an arched back, creating a tucked-up abdomen appearance. The tail is long and slender, tapering to a point.

Grooming: Does not mat. Minimal grooming is needed and this should be done with a chamois or fingers only. They do shed, but hairs are small.